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Boys hoops roundup: Lakers still unbeaten in Lakes 8

Lakers’ sophomore Kyle Zietlow knocked down three 3-pointers and poured in 16 points, helping Spring Lake’s varsity boys basketball team complete a 3-0 week with a 52-29 win at Tri-County.

Austin Johnson scored 17 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who also won Tuesday at Ludington and on Thursday at Orchard View.

“We went 3-0 this week, all on the road, and on our two longest trips of the year at Ludington and at Tri-County, so we feel pretty good,” said Lakers’ coach Bill Core, whose team is now 13-2 overall and remains unbeaten in Lakes Eight play at 9-0.

Tri-County didn’t put up much of a fight. The Lakers led 14-5 at the end of the first quarter and 23-11 at halftime. The Vikings fall to 2-14 overall and wrap up the league portion of their schedule at 1-13.

Core was thrilled with his team’s defense, which continues to shut down opposing teams.

“We held Ludington to 38, then held Orchard View to 20-something and 29 tonight,” Core said. “We took their best player out of the game. Mitchell Goerner is averaging 15, and he had one basket. Erik Johnson and Charlie Warber shut him down.”

The only hiccup for the Lakers was free throw shooting. Typically a team that shoots over 70 percent from the line on the season, the Lakers were just 12-of-28 from the foul stripe on Friday.

Junior Varsity: Spring Lake concluded a busy three games in three nights week with a 2-1 record. On Thursday, the Lakers defeated Tri-County, 67-55, with Nate Batts leading the way with 21 points. Zach Montgomery added 10 points and Jeff Gabala hauled down seven rebounds. Spring Lake was also victorious on Wednesday, a 57-38 triumph against Orchard View. Batts had 18 points, Hunter Moe totaled 13, and Mark Williamson totaled eight points and 10 rebounds. On Tuesday, Ludington handed the Lakers a 50-41 loss, despite 17 points from Montgomery and nine from Batts.

TROJANS TAME TIGERS

Fruitport won its second straight Lakes Eight Conference contest on Friday by shutting down the host Grant Tigers, 44-30.

The backcourt of Tyler Fehler and Aaron Veihl continued their strong scoring punch as they combined for 25 points, with Fehler leading the Trojans with 14.

Senior center Amilio Flores added 10 points for Fruitport, which improves to 8-8 overall and 6-5 in league play.

Grant failed to produce a scorer in double figures, although guard Justin Bull had eight points and 10 rebounds.

FRUITPORT CALVARY TIES FOR LEAGUE LEAD

There is now a tie atop the Alliance League, thanks to Fruitport Calvary Christian pulling an upset of Holland Black River Friday evening, 43-41.

The two teams are now tied with 9-4 records in league play, with one game to go.

The key to the Eagles on Friday was defense, as they limited Black River’s top three scorers — who burned the Eagles for 54 points in their first meeting — to 22 on Friday.

Eagles’ coach Jim employed a diamond-and-one and later, a diamond-and-two defense to slow down Black River.

The Eagles received two big buckets down the stretch to take the lead. Senior Mark Carlson broke a trap in the middle and scored on an up-and-under move to tie the game at 38, then junior Mike Warren gave his team the lead with a baseline jump hook. Fruitport Calvary never trailed again.

Carlson finished with 12 points, while Warren had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

SMITH POURS IN 34 IN WMC’S WIN

Junior Bernard Smith put up 34 points to lead host Western Michigan Christian High Friday to an 80-52 win over Hudsonville Freedom Christian.

The Warriors led 17-12 at the first stop, 34-26 at halftime and 55-38 going into the final period.